In Memory

Acquilla Smith (Peltier)

Acquilla Smith Peltier

February 12, 1951 ~ June 29, 2022

On February 12, 1951, the sweetest of earth angels Acquilla Marie Smith Peltier was born in Lafayette, Louisiana to Alfred and Lucille (Eaglin) Smith.  “Marie” as she was affectionately known, was a caring and loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. To people she met she was often asked of the bible story in the book of Acts regarding Aquila and Priscilla. And she’d quickly remind them that Aquila in the bible was a man. In biblical terms Aquila means “Eagle.” On June 29th, 2022, an angel gently ushered her into the presence of the Lord.  Like her namesake she is now soaring with the heavenly angels.

Being the eldest girl of four girls and one boy, she took on a host of responsibilities that were customary for the eldest girl. Helping her mother with her younger siblings and giving as well as receiving love developed a fierce maternal instinct that she would carry on throughout her life.  As a child she attended school at Carver Elementary.  She shared fond memories of the one year she attended Sunset Elementary in the first grade and lived with her grandparents - Alfred Sr. and Philomen Smith in Sunset, LA.  She also told many stories of her summers in the country with her many cousins and grandparents George and Julia Eaglin in Grand Coteau, LA.  She attended Washington High School and graduated in 1968.  She was a three-time graduate of McNeese State University earning her bachelor's degree in only three years in 1971 in secondary education with a concentration in English and Social Studies.  She also obtained a master’s degree in 1994 with a concentration in Administration and Supervision and her +30-graduate specialty in 1998. She went on to teach for thirty – five years in Lake Charles, LA and the surrounding areas.

She was the epitome of Eleanor Figaro, founder of Sacred Heart Catholic School, as described in this quote “Forcefully came the cry for light, that eternal cry for light through education. To answer this call came a young lady who, denying herself taught as many as cared to attend.”

She began her teaching career in 1972 at Vinton High School teaching high school English I and II.  After only one year, she left to teach school in Jeff Davis Parish.  She later accepted a job with the Catholic Diocese of Lake Charles, as the first black teacher at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic School.  After leaving OLQH she accepted a teaching position at the first Black Catholic school in Lake Charles, LA, Sacred Heart Catholic School, under the supervision of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Nine years later she went on to teach at Cherry Street Elementary in the old Washington High School building where she’d attended high school.  She worked in Calcasieu Parish Schools for over eighteen years.  People would often ask her “what grades have you taught?”  Her response was always “every grade except kindergarten and first.” Her willingness to go above and beyond to assist in helping those in need, afforded her much love and respect from the community in which she served.

Her passion for teaching spilled over into her church life as she was a catechism teacher at St. Henry’s Catholic Church.  Under her direction, children learned how to pray the rosary and many Bible stories. She also guided them in experiencing their First Holy Communion and First Penance. Not only did she teach children, but she was also an inspiration to other teachers.  She served as a student teacher mentor assisting student teachers pursuing their bachelor’s in education and master’s degrees as well.  She was often tickled to learn that one of her student teachers had previously been her student.  Her tenure impacted many generations of students. After retirement she went on to work at Health Systems 2000, Inc. in the Human Resources department and later served as Performance Improvement Coordinator conducting surveys to ensure that patients received preeminent quality healthcare.  She especially enjoyed spending time with her two grandsons, good food, journaling, going to bible study, time with family and the soulful sounds of Luther Vandross – mostly “Big Luther”. 

As a young child she dreamed of becoming a nun.  However, as an adult she found herself in love and realized her childhood dream would not come to pass.  There are three things she loved more than anything in this world, her only child, the Catholic church and school.  She was a faithful member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church.  She loved her church family as brothers and sisters in Christ.  She sat many nights with her mother, sisters and daughter chanting the rosary aloud. 

Her precious memories will live on in the hearts of ‘her shadow’ and only living child, Marianne (Devwin Sr.) Rankins; two grandsons, Theo Joseph-Alfred Peltier and Devwin D. Rankins, Jr.; two sisters, Dawn (Gerald) Reed and Lisa (Jonald) Walker; one sister-in-love, Norma Smith; one sweet godchild, Danielle (Derrick) Dean; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including her lifelong best friend and former spouse, Theophile Peltier, Jr. All of Lake Charles, LA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Lucille (Eaglin) Smith; her first born child, Antoinette Peltier, maternal grandparents, George Sr. and Julia (Etienne) Eaglin; paternal grandparents, Alfred Sr. and Philomen (Jasper) Smith; one brother, Mark Alfred Smith; and one sister, Theresa Smith Dunbar.